Foster a Thriving Learning Culture

The George Washington University’s online Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Leadership and Administration is a specialized degree that prepares you to lead and promote high-quality student achievement at a district, sub-district or school-wide level.

GW’s program is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The EdS is ideal for students with a master’s degree in education who seek further professional preparation for specific career objectives. Completion of the degree may prepare qualified students for administrator/principal licensure.

Upon completion of the program, you are prepared to be a P-12 leader who has a strong mastery of the following:

Curriculum design

Instructional excellence

Motivation and support of classroom professionals

Needs of diverse learning communities

Program Highlights

The George Washington University’s Education Specialist program emphasizes the following core competencies:

Leadership and management

Change

Communication

Administrative and legal issues

Human relations

Supervision of instruction

Curriculum analysis

Benefits of GW’s Education Specialist Degree

Career Advancement: The EdS program is viewed as a terminal degree and may position current pre-kindergarten -12th grade teachers for career advancement and potentially higher salaries.

Specialized Skills: Students with the EdS degree have a set of specialized skills in theory, practice and research, making them more attractive in the job market.

Applied Leadership Knowledge: Design and implement an evidence‐based action research project to address an area of instructional need in a school or central office setting.

Potential Licensure Opportunity: The program may prepare qualified students for administrator/principal licensure.

Curriculum

The 30-credit Education Specialist program can be completed in as little as 2 years.

Courses (30 Credit Hours)

EDUC 6100 Evidence-Based Action Research for School Improvement (3 credits)

The program includes courses and field experiences designed to meet administrative certification requirements in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and other states that honor interstate compact agreements.

Career Outlook

The online EdS program is designed for licensed teachers and school administrators looking to advance into leadership positions. The program prepares you for advanced levels of professional responsibility in diverse educational communities and increases your technical, conceptual, political, and leadership skills.

Employment Settings for Graduates

Consulting organization

Government department or agency

Higher education institution

P-12 school—public, private or charter

The EdS credential can be an advantage in hiring and a pay incentive in some school districts.

Potential Job Titles

Assistant Principal

Athletic Director

Central Office Administrator

Dean

Department Chair

Director of Admissions

Education Advisor

Education Consultant

Higher Education Instructor

Program Director

Principal

Program Options

Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership Administration

GW also offers a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership. Should you wish to pursue the Graduate Certificate, you do have the option to transfer these GW earned credit hours into the online Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Leadership and Administration program.

The certificate can be completed in as little as one year. Students seeking a certificate program may apply for financial aid.

The certificate prepares you to promote high-quality student achievement and become a leader in various public PK-12 school-based and central office positions. You’ll graduate prepared to be a leader who understands curriculum design, instructional excellence, motivation and support of the classroom professionals, and the broader community.

About GW

As one of the nation’s first major universities to launch online programs, the George Washington University (GW) provides students from all backgrounds — and all locations around the world — with the highest quality online educational opportunities.

Why You Should Earn Your Degree at GW

GW prepares you to lead in research and policy, as well as practice in the fields of teaching, counseling, administration, human and organizational learning, and education policy. The school also offers opportunities for experienced professionals to enrich their education and advance their career.

The Graduate School of Education and Human Development is ranked among the Best Online Education Schools for 2017 U.S. News & World Report.

Transformation Begins Here

On-Campus Program

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